This is an ode to all the men and women who go from no children to an instant family!

'Cause I'm one of 'em! When I met Jakob and his adorable daughter, Jocie, one scary late night a year ago, I would never have imagined that a year later I would have this life, this fast paced, new-things-every-day life with a husband and also... a child.

I love Jocie with all my heart. I've lucked out, in that she and I are kindred spirits, in a sense, with a deep love for books and reading and learning. She loves school, and so did I at her age. But... there have been challenges along the way. Her mother returned to her native Poland, leaving Jocie with her father, and then, shortly after, the poor woman died. Jocie doesn't truly remember her, not in any sense other than as a distant foggy mother figure, kind of a sense memory. Jakob had to be both father and mother to her, and did a stellar job.

So when I came on the scene it was an adjustment for her. We've had a few challenges along the way. She has achondroplasia dwarfism, a genetic disorder that makes her, as she says, a little little person. She has health issues, and will have more along the way. She has experienced bullying in her life. But she's stubborn at times, and way too smart, but I'm stubborn too, and patient, and I love her. We're going to be okay.

Jakob has been wonderful through it all, and unfailingly supportive. I lucked out, my girlfriends say, but I say, I chose well. And so did he! LOL.

Have you or anyone you know become insta-parents? What advice would you give to those of us who are newly minted step-parents?

~::~

Read the blurb, and answer a question about it to enter my giveaway!

No Grater Danger

In the brand-new Vintage Kitchen Mystery from the author of Leave It to Cleaver, someone out to spice up their life means to crush a helpless victim . . .

“Delightfully entertaining, well-written, and an interesting and exciting plot. Literally keeps you guessing right to the end.” —Goodreads on Leave It to Cleaver

Vintage cookware enthusiast Jaymie Leighton is thrilled at the prospect of meeting an elderly descendant of her town’s founding father, not least because she’s known to possess an enviably large collection of antique spice graters. But the curmudgeonly woman also has substantial real estate holdings, and at the moment she’s engaged in a fierce battle with a property developer who wants her to sell off her old buildings in the name of progress. When Jaymie goes to visit the woman and discovers that there’s been an attempt on her life, she polishes up her sleuthing skills to find out who was behind the foul deed.

Her first instinct is to suspect the developer, but as she digs deeper into the case she learns that her older new friend has purportedly been the victim of numerous criminal acts—all of which point to different suspects. Unsure if the stories are true or simply the confused ramblings of a senior citizen, Jaymie sifts through the clues hoping to expose the culprit, but she knows that if she keeps stirring up trouble, she’ll be next on the would-be killer’s list.

I do have someone in my immediate family that did become an instant parent, to a young teenager no less. Although it was challenging at times, it's definitely been worth in on both parts. I think patience and understanding and going into it with an open mind is the key.

There are two questions in the post. The first answer is me personally no. But I do know people. My biggest suggestion is that adults get to know the kids and respect the kids. Just because they're small doesn't mean they don't have feelings or opinions. A new "parent" should NEVER be thrust upon them. The second answer is: a large collection of antique spice graters.

I just love this series. I grew up surrounded by antiques and vintage items especially in the kitchen. We had a Hoosier cabinet with the flour attachment in our kitchen. To answer the question: antique spice graters. I especially loved the descriptions of the unique nutmeg graters. I looked up some online (they are neat). Kris A. Doodlesink(at)hotmail(dot)com

Welcome

We are the characters--major and minor--who inhabit the pages of some of your favorite cozy mysteries.We're coming out from between the covers and welcoming you into our lives.So grab a nice cuppa, settle in, and learn what happens when our authors aren't looking.